For whom auditing is compulsory?

An audit of annual accounts is compulsory for every:

• public limited company having more than two shareholders
• state accounting entity
• local government
• legal person in public law
• political party receiving allocation from the state budget
• companies with a majority share owned by the state.

Based on financial indicators, the requirement for an audit or review is determined as follows:

• an audit is compulsory for all accounting entities if two conditions out of three are met:
  • sales revenue 5 million euros
  • total assets 2,5 million euros
  • number of employees 50
• or if one out of three conditions are met:
  • sales revenue 15 million euros
  • total assets 7,5 million euros
  • number of employees 180;

• a review is compulsory for all accounting entities if two conditions out of three are met (review can be replaced with an audit):
  • sales revenue 2 million euros
  • total assets 1 million euros
  • number of employees 24
• or if one out of three conditions are met:
  • sales revenue 6 million euros
  • total assets 3 million euros
  • number of employees 72.

Audit or review requirements for foundations established by the state, local governments, or public law entities:

• Audit: If income/assets ≥ €1,000,000
• Review: If income/assets < €1,000,000

Use the calculator to determine whether an audit or review is compulsory

For financial years that started before 1 January 2024, the following applies:

• an audit is compulsory for all accounting entities if two conditions out of three are met:
  • sales revenue 4 million euros
  • total assets 2 million euros
  • number of employees 50
• or if one out of three conditions are met:
  • sales revenue 12 million euros
  • total assets 6 million euros
  • number of employees 180;

• a review is compulsory for all accounting entities if two conditions out of three are met (review can be replaced with an audit):
  • sales revenue 1,6 million euros
  • total assets 0,8 million euros
  • number of employees 24
• or if one out of three conditions are met:
  • sales revenue 4,8 million euros
  • total assets 2,4 million euros
  • number of employees 72.